Wolstenholme – After the Curtain Falls

Open 11th-18th January 2009 (12-18.00 Saturdays and Sundays weekdays by appointment)

As the 10th of January will mark the finale of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture, Wolstenholme Projects decided it would be interesting to ask the collaborative group, ‘Trace’ to consider the passing of a spectacular event as a point of creative departure.

The representation of everydayness often leads to its escape and the problems of its recollection are heightened by the proximity of multimedia. Giving expression to the nature of casual encounters has a difficult legacy for artists; especially as the expansion of media outlets demand invention and surprise. “After the Curtain Falls” explores a determined attempt to comment on the volatility of the everyday, without over-exertion, whilst giving consideration to the sustainability of a quieter approach to art practice.

“Trace”

The exhibition features several MA graduates from the Media department in the Slade School of Fine Art in 2008, who have adopted the identity Trace for an ongoing collaboration. The artists work and experiment with photography, film, performance, video, installation and sound and develop new works responding to different spaces. Trace have shown at Interval in Manchester, TactileBosch in Cardiff and Städelschule – Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Frankfurt. Further exhibitions are planned in Athens, Toronto, Berlin and New York City.

The title “Trace” was developed to describe a “quiet” statements observed in all participating artists and their work. The works highlight a shift in creative expression and social sensitivity seen in the last few years. This group of artists are no longer interested in using complex interweaving, aggressive methods and shock tactics in their art but follow a more “quiet” direction that takes personal observation and responsibility as a starting point.